Definitions

Alternative conflict resolution

Alternative conflict resolution is a process of addressing differences that allow everyone involved to find a way to work together. Differences may be personal, financial, employment, political, emotional, or interpersonal. It is an alternative to formal investigation of a reported violation. There are many types of alternative conflict resolutions that may be utilized to work through conflict that may arise. Examples include¹ :

• Dialogue: Students engage in a conversation to gain understanding or to manage a conflict independent of intervention or third-party facilitation.
• Conflict Coaching: Students seek counsel and guidance from the Division of Student Affairs to learn more about their own conflict styles and strategies to engage in conflict in a more effective and independent way.
• Facilitated Dialogue: Students access Division of Student Affairs for facilitation services to engage in a conversation to gain understanding or manage a conflict with another party. In a facilitated dialogue, parties maintain ownership of decisions concerning the conversations or any resolutions of a conflict.
• Mediation: Students access the Division of Student Affairs to serve as a third party to coordinate a structured session aimed at resolving a conflict and/or constructing a resolution agreement for the parties involved.
• Restorative Justice Practices (conferences, circles, and boards): The Division of Student Affairs provides space and facilitation services for students taking ownership for harmful behavior and those parties impacted by the behavior to jointly construct an agreement to restore community.
• Shuttle Diplomacy: A Resolution Coordinator actively negotiates an agreement between two parties who do not wish to directly engage with one another.

Complainant

Complainant is a person who is subject to alleged inappropriate or unlawful behavior. For purposes of this procedure, a Complainant can be a CCCS employee, student, authorized volunteer, guest, or visitor.

Due Process

Due process provides a student reported to be in violation of the Code, a written notice of the allegation of misconduct, time to examine the evidence and formulate a response, and the opportunity to explain their version of events to the SSAO.

Notification

Notification is an email from the SSAO requesting a meeting. The email will be sent to the student’s College issued email address and will outline the incident in question, process, and rights of the student.

Outcomes

Outcomes are assigned and used to develop an educational and restorative experience for individuals engaging with the conduct process. Outcomes may also be put in place to ensure the safety of an individual and/or the campus community.

Preponderance of the Evidence

The standard of proof that shows more likely than not that a violation occurred, based on what a reasonable person would consider. This standard is utilized by the SSAO in the formal investigation process.

Reasonable Cause

Reasonable cause is defined as credible information that, if true, supports the proposition that a violation of the Code has occurred, including information provided by an anonymous source.

Reporting Party

Individual(s) who report an incident of concern and possible Code violation. Reporting parties could be students, faculty, staff, law enforcement, or community members.

Respondent

Individual(s) against whom the report was filed.

Resolution Coordinator

A Resolution Coordinator is a College official who is authorized by the SSAO to coordinate conduct resolution.

Senior Student Affairs Officer (SSAO)

The individual designated by the College President to oversee student affairs and be responsible for administering the Code of Student Behavioral Expectations and Responsibilities. The SSAO may delegate some or all aspects of this procedure to another individual (designee/Resolution Coordinator). All references in these procedures to the SSAO include any designee. *Note: Previously referred to as Chief Student Services Officer (CSSO); other policies and procedures may also refer to this role as CSSO.

Student

Anyone who has been admitted within the prior three terms or who has completed a non-credit or academic course within the prior three terms. Withdrawal does not change student status. Students include those currently taking courses at or sponsored by the College(s), pursuing either credit or non-credit courses (or both), including those concurrently attending secondary or post-secondary institutions and College.

Third Party

An individual or group that are external to the incident or situation that are not directly involved.

¹ Nancy G. Giacomini, et al. Reframing Campus Conflict: Student Conduct Practice Through the Lens of Inclusive Conflict Excellence. Sterling, Va: Stylus, 2020.